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Oz gets a raw deal, Scott. About six years ago, my own wee indie house (then UK based, now registered in Canada) took over the small Australian paperback and ebook publisher, Jacobyte Books, which was in danger of going under and taking its authors and their work with it, purely because of apathy in Oz and this apparent prejudice elsewhere against tales based Down Under.
The company's owner, Meredith Whitford -- herself a pro author and brilliant editor -- introduced us to a whole body of outstanding work and fine Australian authors who were hitting a brick wall. I'm happy to say that Meredith and those authors remain part of our stable and their books are selling internationally and gaining recognition.
Things snowball, and we've added many other writers and titles from Australia over the years.
I just can't understand why there still tends to be a lingering feeling in the industry that tales of Down Under are somehow provincial and of no interest to the rest of the world. Many publishers (possibly especially in the US) are turning up their noses at some shining talent.
It's refreshing to hear the news from you that Vicki Tyley is showing them what they're missing ... and all under her own steam. Good on 'er!
Cheers. Neil
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